Motor-starter.



U. T. HENDERSON.

MOTOR STARTER.

APPLIGATION FILED JAN.13, 1905.

969,866. Patented Sept. 18, 1910.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. T. HENDERSON.

MOTOR STARTER.

APPLICATION FILED .TAN.13, 190s.

Patented Sept.

Ma; m

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

CLARK T. HENDERSON, O F PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO THE CUTLER-HAIMLMER MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN, A CORPORA- TIONOF WISCONSIN.

MOTOR-STARTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 13, 1910.

Application filed January 13, 1906. Serial No. 295,969.

To all whom it men concern:

Be it known that .I, CLARK T. HENDERSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at Pittsburg, in the county of Allegheny and State ofPennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements inMotor-Starters, of which the following is a full, clear, con- 'cise, andexact description, reference being of windings until all of the windingshave responded, thereby closing the accelerating switches one after theother.

The object of myinvention is to provide certain improvements in meansfor preventing the operating windings of the starter from responding intoo rapid succession.

According to the preferred form of my invention, I preferably provide anelectroresponsive relay device which is adapted to arrest the operationof the accelerating switches temporarily whenever the motor currentrises to a predetermined degree. The accelerating switches are thusprevented from removing the starting resistance from circuit tooquickly. The relay device is preferably provided with a plurality ofrelay switches which are arranged in the circuits of the operatingwindings, one relay switch being provided for each winding. Theseswitches are preferably operated by means of a series electromagnetwhich is arranged in the circuit of the motor. Whenever the motorcurrent rises to a predetermined degree, the series electromagnetrespends, thereby causing the relay switches to be opened to arrest thefurther operation of the accelerating switches until the motoraccelerates sufiiciently to bring the motor current to a'normal value.The starter is thus automatically controlledto prevent the startingresistance from'being removed from circuit so rapidly as to subject themotor to an excessive current. Ipreferably so arrange each operatingwinding in circuit that its relay switch will be short cii-cuited by itsaccelerating switch after it has responded. The windings that haveresponded are thus rendered independent of the relay switches, andtherefore the relay device may respond without interfering with saidwindings.

-F or the purpose of explaining my invention, I shall describe themotorstarter which is illustrated inthe accompanying drawing.

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic view of the starter, as arranged with amotor. Fig.2 is an elevation of-niy preferred form of relay device, andFig. 3 is a sectional view on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2.

I preferably provide my starter with a plurality of acceleratingswitches'or contactors l, 1, 1, 1, 1 and P, which are adapted toshort-circuit starting resistance steps 2,2 2, 2, 2 and 2 respectively.These switches are operated by means of solenoids or electromagneticwindings 3, 3 3", 3, 3 and 3 respectively, which are pref erablyarranged in parallel in a controlling circuit. The accelerating switchesare preferably provided with auxiliary contacts or switches 4, 4", 4 4,4 and 49*, respectively, which are adapted to close the circuits of theoperating windings. In order to set .tlie starter in operation, I closethe controlling circuit t'o'complete the circuit of the first winding.The winding 3 will there upon respond, thereby causing the auxiliarycontact 4 to close the circuit of the winding 3. Each operating windingthus causes the circuit of the-nextwinding to be closed. In consequence,the operating windings respond one after the other, thereby closing theaccelerating switches successively to remove the starting resistancefrom circuit. If each opera'tingwinding were permitted to respond underall conditions as soon as its circuit is closed by the precedingwinding, the accelerating switches might be closed in such rapidsuccession that the starting resistance would be removed fromcircuitbefore the motor develops enough counter electro motive fo e toprotect it from an excessive current I preferably prevent such resultsby means of a relay device which is adapted to arrest the progressiveoperaform of my invention, I preferably provide the relay device with aplurality of relay switches 5, 5 5*, 5, 5 and 5", one for each winding.Those relay switches are actuated by means of a series relay magnet 6which is preferably arranged in circuit in series with the armature ofthe motor. Whenever the motor current rises to a predetermined degre'e,the series relay magnet 6 will respond, thereby opening the relayswitches. The progressive action of the windings will thus be arresteduntil the motor current subsides to a normal amount. If the motor bestarted under a heavy load, the series relay magnet will respond to theincrease in the motor current immediately following the removal of eachresistance step from circuit, and in consequence the relay switches willbe opened after each winding responds to prevent the next winding fromresponding until the motor current decreases. It will of course beunderstood that each accelerating switch or contactor may be constructedin any suitable way.

Inasmuch asthe accelerating switch 1 together with the auxiliary switch4 short-circuits its relay switch 5, when said switches close, theoperating winding 3 is rendered independent of said relay switch as soonas the resistance step 2 is removed from circuit. It has heretofore beenthe practice to insert a resistance in the circuit of the operatingwinding when the accelerating switch closes, thereby reducing theenergizing current of said winding before the switch becomes firmlyclosed or sealed. In consequence, the main contact, as well as others,sometimes vibrated and chattered thereby rendering the switch unstablein operation. According to my invention, Ido not reduce the :nergizingcurrent of the operating winding, at least not before the switch becomessealed. In consequence, the operating winding will positively close theaccelerating switch. he movable contacts will yield after the sameengage the stationary contacts until the switch becomes sealed. Inasmuchas the accelerating switch 1 short-circuits the relay switch 5 as soonas it removes the resistance step 2 from circuit, it is insured that theoperating winding 8 will become independent of the said relay switchbefore the relay device may respond. In consequence, the relay devicewill not interfere with the operation of the accelerating switch afterthe operating winding responds, notwithstanding the fact that the relaydevice may respond the instant the resistance step is remo ad fromcircuit. I pro vide a'relay switch for each operating winding so as toobviate the necessity of insulating the auxiliary contact from theaccelerating switch, and also of causing said auxiliary contact toshiftthe operating winding from one circuit to another. I thusovererably operate upon the principles which spond,

come various diilicu-lties that'would otherwise arise both in theoperation and con-- struction of the accelerating switch. All of theaccelerating switches or contactors prefhave just been set forth.

The starter is shown inthe drawing as connected in circuit with a motorhaving an armature 7 and a field 8.- I preferably provide a reversingswitch by means of which the direction of the motor may be controlledand the automatic starter may be set in operation. The reversing switch,which is illustrated in the drawing, is provided with contact arms 9, 9contact buttons 10, 10, 10", and a contact segment 11. Of course, thereversing switch may be of anyform, and other means may be employed toset the starter in operation. '1 preferably control the supply circuitby means of a switch 12.

If the reversing switch be moved to the right, it will close the motorcircuit from the positive main 13 through switch 12, field 8, switch arm9, contact button 10", conductors l4 and let, resistance steps 2, 2*,2", 2, 2 and 2 series relay magnet 6, conductor 15, armature 7, contactbutton 10, switch arm 9, conductor 16 and switch 12 to the negative main17. Accordingly the motor will be started with all of the startingresistance in circuit. The reversing switch will also close thecontrolling circuit from the conductor 14 through conductors 14 and 18,relay switch 5, conductor 19, winding 3, conductor 20 and segment 11 tothe switch arm 9. The winding 3 will therefore be the first to respond,thereby causing accelerating switch 1 to short-circuit the resistancestep 2 Of course, if the motor current be too large when the motorcircuit is first closed,

the relay switch 5-vwill'fbe opened thereby preventing the acceleratingswitch 1 from closing until the motor current decreases sufficiently forsaid relay switch to be closed.

If the motor-be started under a heavy load, the motor currentwillriseprecipitately immediately after the accelerating switch-1short-circuits the resistance step 2, thereby causing the series relaymagnet 6 to respond. The relay switches 5, 5*, 5*, 5, 5 and 5 will thenbe opened thus making it impossible for the succeeding solenoid 3 ,torespond, as its circuit will be open atthe switch 5. hen the motorcurrent decreases sufiiciently for the relay magnet to release the relayswitches, the controlling circuit will be closed from the conductor 14through accelerating switch 1, auxiliary switch 4, conductor: 20, relayswitch 52 0011- ductor 21' and winding 20 Inconsequence, t 1e winding 3will rethereby causing the accelerating switch l to short-circuit theresistance step 2. The relay switch 5 will be short-circuited on theclosing of the accelerating 3 to the conductor 5 cuit, the series relaymagnet will respond to the increase in the motor current, therebycausing the relay switch 5 to open the cir cuit of the winding 3. Itwill be observed that whenever the motor current becomes too great, theaccelerating switches will be temporarily arrested from furtheroperation.

However, as soon as the motor current becomes normal again. theacceleratlng switches may proceed to operate. I therefore automaticallycontrol my starter so that. it will remove the starting resistance fromcircuit ina'ccordance with the speed of the motor.

. If the motor be started under'a light load, or without any load,several of the windings may respond in rapid succession without therelay switches being opened, as the speed of the motor will increase sorapidly that the motor current cannot rise sutficiently to make theseries relay magnet respond.

lVithout further setting forth the operation of the starter, it will benoted that the first winding causes the circuit of the second winding tobe closed, the second winding causes the circuit of thethird winding tobe closed and so on through the series of windings, thereby making thewindings 8, 3 3, 3, 3 and 3 respond one after the other. Theaccelerating switches will therefore be closed successively toremoveresistance steps, 2, 2*, 2, 2, 2 and 2 from circuit one by one.Furthermore, it will be noted that therelay switches 5, 5, 5, 5, 5 and5" will be opened whenever-the motor current increases to apredetermined value, thereby arresting the progressiveoperation of theaccelerating switches until the motor current subsides to a normalamount. The starter is thus automaticallycontrolled ,to prevent thestarting" resistance from being removed from the circuit so rapidly asto subject the motor to an abnormal current. Of course, I am aware that.the relay device may be constructedandoperated in various ways toaccomplish the purposes. for which it is provided. The direction of themotor may be reversed by shifting the position of the reversing switchso that the arm 9 engages contact button 10 and the arm 9 engagescontact button 10 and segment 11, in which event the motor circuit willbe closed from the positive main 13, throu h switch 12, field 8, arm 9,contact button 10, armature 7, series relay magnetG, resistance steps 2,2, 2, 2, 2 and 2, conductors 14 and 14, contact button 10, switch arm 9,conductor 16, and switch 12 to the negative main 17.

I have illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 the way in which I may construct myrelay device.

. I preferably provide a rod 22 upon which are loosely mounted the relayswitches 5, 5, 5", 5, 5 and 5 said switches preferably being formed bycircular disks or plates which are insulated from said rod by means ofwashers 23. The relay switches are adapted to engage contacts orterminals 24, which are preferably mounted upon an insulating base 25.The rod 22 is preferably provided with collars 26 by means of which itmay raise the relay switrlzes from the contacts 24. The series relaymagnet 6 preferably surrounds a tubular plunger or core 27, to which therod 22 is attached. An insulating sheath 28 is preferably placed betweenthe relay magnet and the plunger. The relay magnet is preferably mountedwithin a frame 29, which is suspended from the base by means of brackets30. Of course, it will I be understood that it is unnecessary 'for allof the relay switches to be opened whenever the motor current abnormallyincreases. If merely the relay switch of the winding that should nextrespond, be opened, the operation of the starter would be properlyarrested. A sleeve 31 of magnetic material is preferably threadedthrough the frame, and it, extends downwardly into the relay magnet '6to approach the upper end of plunger 27. The position of the sleeve maybe adjusted so as to vary the air gap between the same and the plunger.I am thus enabled to make the relay magnet raise the plunger atdifferent currents. The sleeve is preferably provided with a set nut 32.A spring 38,is preferably arranged within the plunger, it being placedbetween the bottom thereof and a non-magnetic rod 34 which may serve toguide the plunger. The spring opposes the upward movement of theplunger, and therefore urges the relay magnet to release said plunger.The rod 34 is preferably threaded through the sleeve 31 so that thetension of the'spring may be regulated thereby. I am thus enabled tomake the relay magnet release the plunger. at different currents. Itwill be noted that I so construct my relay device that. I may adjust thesame to open and close the relay switches at such currents as thecircumstances may require.

It will be understood that the apparatus which is illustrated in thedrawings, has been selected merely for the purpose of explaining certainrequirements of my invention, and thatvarious changes may be madetherein without in any way passing from the purview of the claimsappended hereto.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire tosecure by Letters Patent is:

1. In con'ibination, a plurality of electromagneticwindings arranged tobe energized successively, a plurality of relay switches, one for eachwinding. adapted to arrest the successive operation of said windingsanda all of said relayaswitches.

3. In combination, a plurality of successlvely operating electromagneticwindings,

. a plurality of relay switches, one for each winding, adapted to arrestthe successive operation of said windings, an electromagnet foractuating said relay switches, and means for rendering each windingindependent of its corresponding relay switch after the windingoperates.

4. In combination, a plurality of electromagnetic windings, a switchactuated by each "of said windings to close -the circuit of the nextwinding so as to make said windings operate successively, a plurality ofrelay switches, one for the circuit of each winding, an electromagnetfor opening said relay switches to arrest the successive operation ofsaid windings, and means for shortcircuiting each relay switch after itscorresponding winding responds so as to render said winding independentof its corresponding relay switch.

5. In a motor starter, in combination, a

plurality of electromagnetic windings, a resistance controlled thereby,means for causing said windings to operate successively, a plurality ofrelay switches, one for each winding, saidv relay switches being .soarranged in circuit that the same may arrest the successive operation ofsaid windings,

an electromagnetfor actuating said relay switches, said magnet beingresponsive to the motor current.

6. In combination, a plurality of electromagnetic windings,-means formaking-said windings r spond successively, switches actuated by saidwindings, a plurality of relay switches, one for each winding, saidrelay switches being so arranged in circuit that the same may beabtuatedto arrest the successive operation of said windings, and

an automatic device for actuating said relay switches.

7. In a motor starter, in combinatlon, a pluralityof electromagneticwindings, a re-' sistance controlled thereby, means for causing'saidwindings to operate successively, a plurality of relay switches, one foreach winding, said relay switches-being so ar-- motor I current andmeans each winding independent of its correspondmg relay switch after itresponds.

8. In a motorstarter, inf'combination, a.

plurality of electromagnetic windings, aresistance controlled thereby,means for mak ing said windings respond successively, a plurality ofrelay switches, one arranged in the circuit of each winding, anelectromagnetic winding for actuating said relay switches to arrest thesuccessive operation of said windings, said magnet being responsive tothe motor current, and means for making each winding'independent of-itscorresponding relay switch after it responds.

' 9. ha motor starter, in combination, a plurality of electromagneticwindings, a resistance controlled thereby, a switch contac operated byeach winding to closethe circuit of the succeeding winding so as tomake.

10. In a motor starter, in combination, a I

plurality of electromagnetic windings, a starting resistance controlledthereby, means for causing said windings to respond successively, aplurality ofrelay switches, one

for each winding, said relayswitches being so arranged in circuit thatthe same may arrest the successive'operation of said windings, and adevice adapted to actuate said relay switches whenever the motor currentrises to a predetermineddegree.

11. In a motor starter, in combination, a plurality of acceleratingswitches, a resistance controlled thereby, a plurality ofelectromagnetic windings, one for each switch,

means for causing said windings to operate said switches successively, aplurality of re lay switches, one for each winding, means for operatingsaid relay switches to arrest the successive'operation of saidaccelerating switches, said means being res onsive to the or rende eachwinding independent of its correspon ing relay switch after it responds.

12. In a motor starter, in combination, a plurality of acceleratingswitches, a starting resistance controlled thereby, a lurahty ofelectromagnetic windings, one -or. operating each switch, and a switchcontact actuated by each winding to close-the c1rcu1t of the nextwinding so that said accelerating switches will be actuatedsuccessively, a plurality of relay switches, one for thecircuit of eachwinding, an electromagnet for actu-' ating said relay switches to arrestthe successive operation of said acceleratlngswitches, said magnet beingarranged in clrcuit to be responsive to the motor current.

13. In a motor starter, in combination, a

I ating said relay switchesto arrest the successive operation of saidaccelerating switches, said magnet being responsive to the motorcurrent,- and each accelerating switch and its magnetic windings,

corresponding" auxiliary being adapted to short-circuit itscorresponding relay switch.

14, In a motor starter,.in combination, a plurality of successivelyoperating electroa plurality of relay switches, one for each winding,adapted to arrest the successive operation of said windings, and anelectromagnet for actuating said relay switches, said magnet beingconnected in circuit td'respond wheneventhe motor current rises above apredetermined value.

15. In a motor starter, incombination, a plurality of successivelyoperating electromagnetic windings, a startingtresistance controlledthereby, a plurality'of relay switches, one for each winding, adapted toarrest the successive operation of sald windings, and an electromagnetfor actuating said relay switches, said magnet being connected incircuit to respond whenever the motor cur rent rises above apredetermined value.

16. In combination, a plurality of successively operating.electromagnetic windings, a starting resistance-controlled thereby, aplurality of relay switches, one for each winding, adapted to arrest thesuccessive operation of said windings, means for rendering th wii lingsthat have responded independent ot said relay switches, and anelectromagnct for actuating said relay switches, said magnet beingconnected in circuit to respond whenever the motor current rises above apredetermined value.

17. In a motor starter, in combination, a

plurality of successively operating electromagnetic windings, a startingreslstance con trolled thereby, a plurality of relay'switches, v

one for each winding, adapted to arrest the successive operation of saidwindings, means for short-c1rcu1t1ng said relay switches so as to renderthe windings that have responded independent of said relay switches; andan .clectromagnet for actuating said relay switches, said magnet beingconnected in circuit to respond whenever the motor current rises above apredetermined value.

18. In a motor starter, in combination, a plurality of electromagneticwindings, a plurality of accelerating switches, one for each winding,actuated by said windings, a start-' ing resistance, an auxiliarycontact actuated by each winding to close the circuit of thesucceedingwinding so as to make said windings respond successively, aplurality of relay switches, one for the circuit of each winding, and anelectromagnet for actuating said relay switches, said magnet beingconnected in circuit to respond whenever the motor current rises above apredetermined value, and each accelerating switch and its correspondingauxiliary contact being ada t ed to short-circuit its corresponding reay switch.

19. In combination, a motor, a starting resistance therefor, a pluralityof electromagnetic windings, means actuated by said windin s to controlsaid starting resistance, means or causing said windings to respondsuccessively, a plurality of relay switches, one for the circuit of eachwinding, and an electromagnet for actuating said relay switches, saidmagnet being arranged in circuit in series with, said resistance and themotor armature, and a reversing switch adapted to close'the motorcircuit and also the controlling circuit so as to set said motor inoperation.

20. In combination, a plurality of successively operatingelectromagnetic windings, a plurality of relay switches, one for eachwinding, adapted to arrest the successive operation of said winding, anelectromagnet for actuating said relay switches, and means for adjustingthe action ofsaid magnet upon said relay switches to accomplish thepurposes set forth.

.21. In combination, a resistance, a plurality of successively operatingelectromag netic switches for controlling said resistance, a pluralityof relay switches, one for each of said resistance s'witches, arrangedin circuit in vertical alinement, to control the operation of saidresistance switches, a single magnet connected in circuit with the motorand adapted to operate said relay switches to arrest the successiveoperation of said resistance switches if the current rises above apredetermined amount, and means tor rendering the resistance switchesthat are closed. independent of their corresponding relay switch.

22. In a motor controller, in combination,

a resistance, a plurality of switches forcontrolling said resistance, aplurality of electromagnetic windings for actuating said switchessuccessively, a plurality of relay switches, one. for the circuit ofeach winding, and an electromagnet foractuating all of saidrelayswitches to arrest the successive operation of said resistancecontrolling switches whenever the motor current rises above apredetermined value.

23. In a motor controller, in combination, a resistance, a plurality ofswitches for controlling said resistance, a plurality of electromagneticwindings for actuating said switches short-circuits its correspondingrelay switch after it is closed to render its operating windingindependent ofits-rre-lay switch;

24. In a motor controller, in combination, a plurality of switchesadapted to be closed successively, a plurality .of electromagneticwindings for actuating said switches, each switch being adapted to closethe circuit of the next succeeding winding, a plurality of relayswitches, one for the circuit of each winding, and an electrom'agnet foractuating all of said relay switches to arrest the successive operation,of said first mentioned switches whenever the motor current rises abovea predetermined value.

25. In a motor controller, in combination,

a plurality of switches, a plurality of electromagnetic windings foractuating said switches, a' resistance controlled by said switches, eachof several of said switches be ing provided with means for causingtheenergization of the winding of another one of said switches wherebysaid switches are actuated successively, a series relay having multiplecontacts, one for the winding of each of said switches, and also havingan electromagnet connected in? circuit to operate all of said contactsto arrest the operation of said switches whenever the'motor currentrises above a predetermined value, and electrical connections wherebyeach of said switches, after it is closed, short-circuits itscorresponding contact on said re lay to render its operating windingindependent of said contact.

- 26. In a motor controller, in combination, a plurality of switches, aplurality of electromagnetic windings for actuating said switches, aresistance controlled by said switches, a series relay having multiplecontacts, one for the winding of each of said switches, and also havinga series electromagnet for operating all of said contacts whenever themotor current rises above a predetermined value, electrical connectionswhereby eaclrof several of said switches closes the circuit of anotherswitch to cause said switches to operate siiccessively, and otherelectricalconnections whereby each of said switches, after it is closed,short-circuits its corresponding relay switch to render its. operatingwinding independent of its relay switch.

In w tness whereof, I have hereunto subscribed my name in the presenceof two witnesses.

CLARK T. HENDERSON.

. Witnesses:

ANNA E. BARTHELMES, LESTER C. Hanan.

